FAMILIES IN TRANSITION AND HOUSING BENEFITS HOST OPEN HOUSE FOR NEW PROPERTY IN DOVER

A grand opening event was held at Families in Transition’s first property in Dover, NH

DOVER, NH – Families in Transition (FIT), a Manchester-, Concord- and now Dover-based homeless services provider, and Housing BeneFITs, a nonprofit started by FIT to improve the supply and quality of affordable housing in New Hampshire, held an open house on Wednesday, February 6, to celebrate the opening of their newest property located in Dover, NH. The home is designed to house single, low-income women. This property is Families in Transition’s first in Dover and brings the total property count for the organization to 16, with nearly 200 housing units secured for people with very low incomes.

Over the past few months with the help from many volunteer groups, the house has been painted, cleaned and prepared for future residents. Citizens Bank Foundation and New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority are the lead supporters for this project.

“We are grateful for all of the support from Citizens Bank Foundation, New Hampshire Housing and the community as a whole,” said FIT PresidentMaureen Beauregard. “This is an exciting time for Families in Transition as we expand our housing programs to the seacoast area to help meet the growing need for this type of housing.”

“New Hampshire Housing is proud to support Families in Transition in their expansion to a new area of the state,” said Dean Christon, Executive Director of New Hampshire Housing. “By offering housing, services, and support to the seacoast area, they are providing a vital resource that will help the community effectively address homelessness and, as a result, grow stronger.”

“Citizens Bank shares FIT’s commitment to providing safe, affordable housing to those in need,” said Joe Carelli, President of Citizens Bank,New Hampshire. “FIT’s success stems from their comprehensive model for addressing the root causes of homelessness, which not only includes a safe place to stay, but also a wide range of services to counsel individuals toward a path of economic and emotional self-sufficiency.”

Families in Transition is a nonprofit organization that provides safe, affordable housing and comprehensive social services to individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, enabling them to gain self-sufficiency and respect. In 2009, FIT established Housing BeneFITs, an independent nonprofit and Community Based Housing Organization to improve the life for low- and moderate-income residents by increasing the supply and quality of affordable housing inNew Hampshire. FIT also owns and operates two thrift stores in Manchester and Concord, NH, as well as a newly established commercial cleaning company, FIT Cleaning Solutions, all of which serve as economic engines to help pay for services that FIT provides. For more information about FIT, Housing BeneFITs, the stores, and the commercial cleaning company visit www.fitnh.org or call 603-641-9441.